Laos learns about experience of Vietnam’s railway development

A Laotian delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Bounthong Chitmany paid a working visit to state-owned Vietnam Railways (VNR) on July 27 to learn about the management and development of the railway system to prepare for its future projects. The leaders from Laos and VNR at the discussions The discussions focused on the legal documents governing the management and operation of Vietnam Railways and its development strategies, operation structure, inspections, employment policies, private investment attraction, site clearance, and compensation. According to VNR chairman Vu Anh Minh, VNR’s operation and management is based on the Law on Railway, with decrees and circulars guiding operations, such as infrastructure management, transportation conditions, and others. Minh added that the facts proved that the assets directly involved in train operations should remain in state ownership, with VNR still the manager and operator, while the assets not directly involved in train operations should be handed over to VNR under the format of state capital contribution, thus enabling the giant to take business initiatives. Assets directly used for train operations include railways, bridges, tunnels, rails, depots, and others, while assets used for train operation include station squares, warehouses, inland container depots (ICD) and others. Regarding the Indian side’s question about calling private investment, Minh elaborated: “We call for private investment in railway stations and ICDs, while the assets directly used for train operations are invested by the state.” Regarding the question about site clearance and compensation for the development of the high-speed railway network and the possible… [Read full story]